Adult Christmas Names for 2010

I moved the names up on this list and came up with this for Christmas next year:

Amy has Steve

Keith has Russ

Steph has Katie

Steve has Sean

Wendy has Jess

Russ has Spence

Katie has Marlee

Jess has Steph

Sean has Amy

Spence has Keith

Marlee has Wendy

Now you have all year to do your shopping to avoid that Christmas rush!

Congratulations Spencer!

We're proud of all your hard work...now get back to school!

They'll thank me later...

Carter and Tyler...December 2009.

A cookie success!

Another year of decorating cookies at Amy's house complete. Thanks for the fun everyone!

Dad's boyhood home

This is the house Dad moved to when he was six years old--59 years ago. It is located in Great Neck, New York. He spent the rest of his life there till he married and joined the Air Force. He had many wonderful experiences living here with his parents and brother Carl. HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY FRANK--and many more happy years ahead.

I'm learning....

Jessica is teaching me how to use the blog...hopefully I will start posting more soon.

*Above picture is Frank with all his grandsons in 2006.

Had to share...

Carter made me breakfast this morning with his toy kitchen. As I was eating it I said, "this is really good, where did you learn to cook so good?" Carter replied, "umm, Stephanie."

So umm, thanks Steph for teaching Carter how to cook!

Going public...

There has been a request to go public...so here we go!!

Happy (belated) 30th Birthday!

Hope 30 is the best year yet! We love ya, Jess.....thanks for being such a great sister, daughter, friend and definitely the best aunt around!!! Happy Birthday!

Kids Christmas Exchange

Carley has Tyler

Cameron has Hunter

Caitlyn has Carter

Tanner has Reeslyn

Spencer has Cameron

Hunter has Mason

Tyler has Caitlyn

Conner has Mallory

Reeslyn has Carley

Mallory has Madison

Mason has Conner

Carter has Tanner

Madison has Spencer

Seriously???

So much for my No Shoes on the Mats rule!

Thank You

We just wanted you all to know that we are very lucky to have such a wonderful family. We appreciated all the support you showed to our family this weekend at Madison's Blessing. I personally feel so lucky to have married into such a fun, strong family. We love you all so much and miss you guys! Thanks for making the trip down to see her be blessed.

Reminder: Christmas Names for 2009

Adults:
Amy has Keith
Keith has Wendy
Stephanie has Steve
Steve has Russ
Wendy has Katie
Russ has Sean
Katie has Jessica
Jessica has Spencer
Sean has Marlee
Spencer has Stephanie
Marlee has Amy

Family History

My lesson today, my talk last week, and my lesson next week all center around temple/family history work. This afternoon I was reading in Grandma and Grandad's Book of Remembrance. I have only gotten through Grandad's part so far and have already learned a lot about him. For example, did you know he was only 13 when his mom died? Did you know he was baptized in the tabernacle? Did you know when he worked at the University of Utah for his dad he did odds and ends around the campus one of those odds and ends was being a personal driver for the president of the campus: John A. Widstoe? And did you know as a young boy he often had assignments at church to help out when his dad was Bishop and one of those jobs was pumping the church organ? He said his arm really hurt after doing it each time.

As I have been studying for my lessons/talk I have really gained a better understanding of not only the importance of family history work but also the importance of getting know our ancestors know so we can know them when we see them again.

If you haven't seen the Book of Remembrance yet, Kim has it posted on her blog here.

Who knew there was a celebrity in the family?

Here are some before and after pictures of the Kitchen Redo

When Jessica babysits...

The kids have fun!!!

Case closed...

Aren't we always trying to remember who really won???

Baby Madison

I got to tag along with Jessica to Sierra Vista yesterday to meet baby Madison! She is beautiful (of course) and so sweet! Marlee is a natural at the mothering thing (of course) and Spencer well he'll get better at it (just kidding). They are an adorable little family!!!

Way to go Reese!

Reeslyn was student of the month and they had the cutest assembly to honor all the recipients. Here is a clip of Reeslyn's turn to run around the gym. Thanks Nana for coming and supporting her!

Good job Spence & Jess!

Spencer overall time: 1:30
Jessica overall time: 1:32

I'll get him one of these days!! (not if he keeps improving his swim time though!)

He's coming home!!!

I think everyone has heard by now that Sean's boss called him this morning to tell him she made a mistake yesterday telling Sean he was going to Oklahoma. He gets to work in Phoenix!!! He will be done in Louisiana on August 28th!!!

Thanks so much for everyone's help the last 8 months while Sean was gone...couldn't have gotten through it without everyone's help.

Good times

Skin the Cat (it's a good thing this blog is private)

I have to give huge props to Wendy for being the guinea pig that started a hilarious family activity... skin the cat!

Lake Powell

Thanks...

I can't thank you ALL enough for the WONDERFUL baby shower! It was awesome!! The decorations were adorable and the food was amazing!!! I have been talking about to everyone. I told Spencer the entire way home how much that really meant to me! I have the best in-laws!! Thanks again for all your hard work. We are so excited for Madison to come and be apart of our family! She is so lucky to have such Loving Aunt's and Uncle's and Fun Cousins!!!

Lake Powell 2009 meal plan

MONDAY - Nana & Grandad
Breakfast - Cereal & muffins
Lunch - Chili & Cheese Crisps
Dinner - Hawaiian Haystacks

TUESDAY - Russ & Katie
Breakfast - Pull apart
Lunch - Chicken pasta salad
Dinner - Fajitas

WEDNESDAY - Amy & Jessica
Breakfast - Puff Pancake & Bacon
Lunch - Mac & Cheese w/ hot dogs
Dinner - Burritos

THURSDAY - Keith & Steph
Breakfast - Pancakes (grandad will flip)
Lunch - Pita Sandwiches
Dinner - Hot Dogs & Hamburgers

FRIDAY - Wendy & Steve
Breakfast -
Lunch -
Dinner - Lasagna

SATURDAY - Leftovers

EXTRAS - Food
Nana & Grandad - pudding cups, otter pops, celery, carrots, peanut butter, bean dip, water, kool-aid mix, wheat thins and canned cheese and some cheese you can slice things for two times of bean dip and a large container of salsa--also some peanuts and m&m's for game time and a bag of vanilla animal crackers and chocolate animal crackers.
Amy - Chips, salsa, cream cheese, healthy snacks for diet, cereal, water
Keith & Steph - cookie dough, fruit snacks, cereal, water, bagels & cream cheese
Wendy & Steve - goldfish, jelly, cereal, water
Russ & Katie - hot chocolate, granola bars, candy bars, licorice, cereal, water
Jess - fruit by the foot, cheese sticks, rice krispie treats, cereal, water

EXTRAS - other
Nana & Grandad - cups, plates, sand toys, sequence, yahtzee, 5 crowns, dice, rummikub, hot potato
Keith & Steph - shade screen, napkins, paper towels
Wendy & Steve - toilet paper
Russ & Katie - plastic utensils
Jess - garbage bags

The final countdown...

I want to go to Mary Coyle's on July 17th to celebrate my last day. Anyone want to go?

You're Invited...

Click on the picture to enlarge. The ribbon is in the way on the first two lines but it says, "Two little love birds sitting in a tree..."

Happy Father's Day!

Fun times with cousins

Hard to believe we've gone from this...To this! 

4th Menu

Hello Everyone!!! We just thought we would share what we came up with as far as a Menu for the 4th of July weekend. Let us know what you think... we are TOTALLY open to suggestions!!! We wanted to make sure you like what we're going to have:)

Friday
Breakfast= french toast and fruit
 bread: eggs: milk: syrup: fruit: Orange Juice
Lunch= Sandwiches (I guess the boys are planning to go golfing)
 bread: meat: lettuce: tomatoes: mustard: mayo: miracle whip: chips
Dinner= Hawaiian Haystacks
rice: chicken gravy: tomatoes: cucumbers: cheese: noodles: coconut:
cherries: pineapple: green onion: green peppers
 * Dessert homemade ice cream
Saturday:
Grilled Breakfast= Pancakes, Eggs, Fresh Fruit
 eggs, milk, cheese, pancake mix, buttermilk, fruit, maple syrup, orange juice
Lunch= Sandwiches
Dinner= Picnic at the park
 Pizza: watermelon: cookies
Sunday:
Breakfast= cold cereal and banana bread
 Cereal: milk: banana bread
Lunch= Lasagna; salad; bread sticks

If we forgot anything that we need feel free to post it!! We are going to have a Huge ice chest
for drinks. Please bring some to share with everyone. Also if you want to help bring something
 just let us know what. Thanks:) We are super excited to have you all come!!!
 It's going to be a party!! Just pray it doesn't rain! 

$1 movies

Movie Schedule**

June 17:Space Chimps

June 24:Kung Fu Panda

July 1:Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

July 8:Tale of Despereaux

July 15:Horton Hears a Who

July 22:The Spiderwick Chronicles

July 29:Nim's Island

August 5:Star Wars: The Clone Wars


At AMC on 1-17 and the 101

A Carter funny...

Driving in the car today, Carter randomly says,

"Nana tells Grandad, OH FRANK!"

we laughed and laughed...

Canning

Anyone interested in getting the stake canner and doing some canning (flour, sugar, etc) one night while the kids swim? (obviously I'm inviting myself to use your stake canner and your pool here!)

Happy, to each of us...

Happy Mother's Day to each of us with a "Mother Heart." Sister Julie Beck explains in more detail what a mother heart is:

"What is a mother heart and how is one acquired? We learn about some of those qualities in the scriptures. To paraphrase Proverbs: “Who can find a … woman [with a mother heart]? for her price is far above rubies. … She … worketh willingly with her hands. … With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. … She stretcheth out her hand to the poor. … Strength and honour are her clothing. … She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (Prov. 31:10, 13, 16, 20, 25–27). A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her." We all have a mother heart. So Happy Mother's Day to: Katie
Stephanie Wendy
Marlee
Jess and Amy
and Mom. 

(read the rest of Sister Beck's talk here.)

Family Reunion!!

We just wanted to remind everyone that you are ALL invited to come stay with us for the 4th of July!! We have room for everyone!! Let us know if your able to come. We can't believe how fast the time is going. We were looking at the calender and realized Holy Cow!! This summer is going to go fast.

A Cameron Funny

Jessica to Wendy: What you're busy? Can't you just wait around all day til I bring Carter over?

Wendy to Jessica: I've got stuff to do, it's not like I'll be sitting around all day picking my nose

Cameron to Wendy: No, you'll be sitting around sucking your thumb!!

Ahh hahaha haha ha

Crazy kids!!!

This is what I saw when I walked out to the kitchen at 7 am this morning, it was POURING rain!!! [and freezing]

I love these kids

Happy Birthday Carter!

Thanks for coming to the last minute birthday party today! Carter LOVED playing with everyone and his gifts. I had to convince him tonight that he could only go to bed with ONE of his presents and not all of them! 

I made this for my lesson tomorrow. If anyone ever wants to borrow it just let me know.

I Love to See the Temple